Thinking she’d put enough distance between them, she’d slow her pace for a minute. Almost immediately, it would wrap around her ankle and begin to pull her down as it spread, till she was nearly immobile. And completely enveloped.

The pain it brought was familiar. And comforting. Like a sad song that cut too close combined with memories so vivid they brought back the moment. The people.

And she liked it. Liked giving in to all things dark once in a while and remembering even though it hurt. Just as she liked joking about all things dark when she didn’t give in. Joking like she didn’t give in. Keeping things light, exceedingly and purposely light, was basic physics after all.

Hours would pass then, sometimes days, before she’d snap to, realizing she’d been lulled into complacency yet again. Left to feel like everything was settled and safe, instead of volatile and temporary. And she’d kick it away, pushing forward with purpose. Harder, faster. Setting a pace she knew it wouldn’t catch this time.

Because every time it did, it tugged a little stronger, pulled her a little deeper and fooled her just enough to be a little terrifying.

You're very adept in pulling this reader into your thoughts and psyci of how a minute, hour, day , week, or longer can wrap us up into its abyss until we realize what is happening and not until then can we unwrap ourselves from its grip.